Even if the Broncos don't hire a designated driver to protect the backsides of their front-office executives, could the local NFL team find the money to sign a Pro Bowl offensive tackle to protect the blind side of quarterback Peyton Manning?

The recent DUI arrests of football execs Matt Russell and Tom Heckert gave the Broncos a black eye. But it's the neck of Manning that vice president of football operations John Elway really needs to keep out of harm's way.

So, the first order of business for a team with Super Bowl aspirations is getting a long-term contract done with Ryan Clady, the left tackle who did the Broncos proud with first-team all-pro honors in 2012.

Give the man his money.

Clady is far more essential to the success of the Broncos during the upcoming season than the presence of either Russell or Heckert, who figure to be suspended at a critical time on the NFL calendar, when determinations on which players make the roster are made and holes in the depth chart are filled.

On the road to the Super Bowl, the Broncos aren't going anywhere without Clady.

Yes, the team slapped the franchise tag on the 26-year-old left tackle, a move that could basically strong-arm Clady into playing the upcoming season on a one-year deal for the handsome sum of $9.823 million.

Clady is seeking the greater financial reward and security a long-term deal can bring. Can anyone blame him, considering Clady suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery after the Broncos' season came to an upsetting end last season with a home loss in the playoffs to Baltimore?

The Broncos and Clady have been negotiating his worth to the team for more than a year without resolution. Last summer, the Broncos offered Clady a five-year, $50 million contract. Clady said no, then went out and played spectacularly to prove his worth.

Elway is protecting the bottom line of franchise owner Pat Bowlen, which is understandable. Clady, however, protects the health of the 37-year-old Manning, which is a far more essential job.

If the Broncos truly believe Clady is the best in the business, we should be talking close to $12 million per season, with approximately 40 percent of the money guaranteed on a contract of five years or longer. The deal needs to be cut by July 15, or Denver faces the prospect of Clady being an unhappy camper when preseason workouts begin. Money issues can cause trouble that lingers.

Elway deserves credit for being a fair-minded but tough negotiator while building a roster of championship caliber, whether the end result was the success of signing Manning to a deal that limited the Broncos' liability in case of a serious injury to the veteran quarterback, or the outcome of contract haggling was the loss of defensive star Elvis Dumervil when the pass rusher balked at a significant pay cut.

In order of importance to the Broncos' success, this is the ranking of most essential players: 1) Manning; 2) linebacker Von Miller; and 3) Clady.

Give the man his money.

Clady is one of only four offensive tackles in NFL history who have started every game and earned three invitations to the Pro Bowl during their first five seasons in the league.

In the wake of the embarrassment caused by DUI arrests for Heckert and Russell, the Broncos could use a reason to smile.

Giving Clady, not to mention Manning and the rest of the Denver offense, a reason to smile might be a good place to start.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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